DIAGNOSIS Yes, that's common with a brand-new unit, and it's usually harmless. It's off-gassing from the plastics and components inside the housing from the manufacturing and packaging process.
FIX The best fix is to just run it through. Set it up in a well-ventilated room, like near an open window if possible. Turn it on to the highest fan setting and let it run continuously for 24-48 hours. This will cycle a lot of air through it, speeding up the off-gassing process. The smell should fade significantly and be completely gone within a week of normal use.
IF THAT DIDN'T WORK If the smell is more like a burning odor or persists strongly for more than a week, stop using it. Unplug the unit and check inside the base and around the filter for any foreign objects or packaging materials you might have missed. A persistent burning smell is not normal and indicates an electrical or mechanical fault.
HEADS UP Don't confuse this new-unit smell with the odor a dirty filter can sometimes put out. If you get a musty or stale smell months later, that's your cue to check and likely replace the main filter.